Concordia beaten in dual at No. 7 Morningside

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Seventh-ranked Morningside showed why it is the highest ranked team in the GPAC by dismissing the Bulldogs, 41-3, in Sioux City, Iowa, on Friday. The Mustangs, who possess eight ranked individuals, flexed their muscles with four pins and won seven of the eight contested matches. Concordia now owns dual records of 2-9 overall and 1-4 in the GPAC.

Freshman Austin Starkey provided Bulldog fans something to cheer about with his 8-5 decision over junior Jordan Langley of Morningside at 157. Starkey took control of the match early on by maneuvering for a quick takedown and three back points in just a few-second span. He found himself in danger of being pinned in the second period but rolled through the hold of Langley for a reversal. Starkey tacked on a point for riding time and improved to 14-14 on the season.

The Starkey victory was sandwiched in between dominant bouts by the powerful Mustangs (10-4, 4-0 GPAC). Morningside’s No. 9 Kevin Olson (141), Nate Taylor (149), Chris Bridgeford (197) and John Sievert (285) each recorded a fall on the night. The quartet powered Morningside to 40-plus team points for the third time in a dual this season.

Nick Sheppard came the closest to nabbing Concordia’s second win of the night. The junior from Englewood, Colo., wrestled to a 0-0 draw after the first period before falling behind in the second. Sheppard never did get on the scoreboard in a 4-0 loss as he was aiming for his fourth win of the season.

The Bulldogs host Hastings on Thursday, Feb. 7 in what will be the final home and conference dual of the season. Concordia all-time wins leader Brandon Starkey (70) will be honored as part of senior day festivities along with heavyweight Frank Ayala. The action will get started at 7 p.m. as head coach Dana Vote’s grapplers look to finish strong before heading to Fremont, Neb., for regionals on Feb. 16.